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Page 487
a tale of sicknessat least for a week or two. Ian's own men-at-arms would be content for that long. They would assume that his squires were nursing him. That probably meant that Owain and Geoffrey were in another room on the same floor. More important, it meant that Ian only needed to win free and show himself to the men-at-arms of Clyro Hill.
The only drawback to having completed his arrangements was that it left Ian free to worry about whether he could escape before Alinor fell into the trap laid for her. An explanation of Sir Peter's pleasure at seeing him and disappointment over Alinor's absence had finally come to Ian. It must have been Gwenwynwyn who raised doubts of Ian's intentions in Sir Peter. And, if Sir Peter had assurance of Gwenwynwyn's support and his willingness to take Sir Peter's oath as a vassal, then Sir Peter would not fall into John's hands when Alinor and Ian died. The logic was good. The timing was right. After a few days of "sickness," Sir Peter would naturally send to inform Alinor that her husband was not well. Alinor would come, catch the "sickness," both would die of it, and the boysGeoffrey and Owainwould be hostages to protect Sir Peter and Gwenwynwyn from Llewelyn and the king. Ian closed his eyes and tried to push the frightening thoughts away. Perhaps Alinor was so angry that she would not come. Perhaps she was sufficiently suspicious of Sir Peter"
"My lord"
Ian opened his eyes and turned his head slowly, but he did not move from the chair. He would not come closer to the door and allow Sir Peter to see how his complexion had changed, or lift his arms and display how his hands trembled. Sir Peter's voice at the door could only mean that his plan was useless. It was too late. If Alinor had come to harm Madness curled in the black depths of Ian's mind.
"My lord, I am passing your arms and armor in to you. When you are ready, I will come in naked. I beg

 
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